- History of the Chicago Police, by John J. Flinn and John E. Wilkie, Manufactured by W. B. Conkey, Chicago.
Chicago Tribune, August 2, 1887
A History of the Chicago Police Force from the Beginning.
Under authority of Mayor Roche and Superintendent Ebersold an authentic “History of the Chicago Police” is being written by Mr. John J. Flinn, a well-known newspaper writer. The volume is to cover the work of the police from the time of constables and town marshals to the present day. It will deal with the police administration of every City Government since 1837; narrate the leading events connected with the department during the last fifty years; give full inscriptions of all the great crimes, riots, and tumults that have shocked or disturbed the Chicago public, and preserve the names, the deeds, and the memories of the men who have in any ay distinguished themselves in connection with police duties.
An advance sample of the work shows that it will be in every way a creditable volume. The illustrations are particularly praiseworthy. The mobbing of Douglas in ’54. the lager-beer riot in ’55, the great strike and riot of ’77, the Black road troubles, and the haymarket affair will all be faithfully described and handsomely illustrated.
The work is to be published under the auspices of the Policemen’s Benevolent Association, which has been guaranteed a handsome addition to its fund as the result of the enterpnse. The Police Department is, of course, deeply interested in the progress of the volume, as it is the first attempt ever made in this city to compile what may be termed a comprehensive history of the police. The portraits in the book are excellently done.
Chicago Tribune, August 28, 1887
An Interesting Exhibition.
Under instructions from Inspector Bonfield the patrol of the Harrison Street Station will be called on a “murder alarm” between 7 and 8 o’clock this morning. The wagon will dash down Harrison street to Michigan boulevard, and north on that thoroughfare. It will be manned by seven men and under the immediate supervision of Capt. Hubbard of the Central detail. While passing in front of the Studebaker Building, under a full head of speed, Photographer Evans of the department will take an instantaneous photograph of the horses, vehicle, and men. It is the object of the department to secure several plates showing different views of the horses and wagon in motion as if responding to a most serious alarm. The men will assume positions appropriate to the occasion and a line effect is expected to be produced. This picture is to be taken, as have a large number of others, for the purpose of reproduction in the engraver’s hands for the History of the Chicago Police, now in course of preparation. The department is very anxious that these pictures shall represent the workings of the patrol-wagon as perfectly as possible, as it was in this city that the service originated. A large number of invited guests will be present at the exhibition.
- The Police Wagon In Full Motion.
From an instantaneous photograph, taken in front of Studebaker’s Carriage Repository, on Michigan Ave., by the Police Photographer.
Chicago Tribune, November 17, 1887
HISTORY OF THE CHICAGO POLICE.
The Joint Production of Two Chicago Newspaper Men.
A “History of the Chicago Police” is in press. It is the joint production of Mr. John J. Flinn and Mr. John E. Wilkie of this city. It is a volume of some 700 pages, and is something more than a mere arrangement of facts and dates. As all official records were destroyed in the great fire the writers have gathered many of their facts from the remembrances of old citizens, from various early historical sketches, from documents and prints in the possession of the Historical Society, from the ante-fire directories and newspaper files, from reminiscences contributed to the press since 1871, and from miscellaneous contributions to local history in manuscript and print from scrapbook of private individuals. Everything that could throw any light upon the history of the Chicago police force was examined, and whatever there was of value was used. The early outbreaks, the lumber riots of 1874, the labor disturbances of 1877, the troubles growing out of the eight-hour movement, and finally the haymarket horror are treated at considerable length and in a popular style. In short, the work comprehends everything in connection with this gallant body of men from its organization to the present time, including an account of the origin and development of the “patrol” service, which, as is well known, originated and has reached its highest perfection in Chicago: gives the police changes from year to year to the present time: the roster of the force as at present constituted, with a biographical sketch of each man—including, of course, those in the detective department and the principal criminal cases in which he has been interested, the space in connection with these sketches being in proportion to his rank and record. The portraits in the work are particularly true and lifelike, which is not the case in the ordinary history, whether municipal or otherwise.
The biographical sketches of the leading figures in the department—Ebersold, Bonfield, Schaack, Hubbard, and the other commanding officers—were evidently prepared with great care and excellent judgment. The lives of the members of the detective force, with some of their clever criminal cases, forms an interesting chapter. There is also a great deal of information about the work of the department which is of general interest and which has never before been given to the public. The book is published for the benefit of the police pension fund, under the authority or Mayor Roche and Chief of Police Ebersold. and is sold by subscription only. It will be ready for general delivery about the middle of December.
Inter Ocean, December 31, 1887
The Inter Ocean is in receipt of an interesting volume of nearly 600 pages, well illustrated, being the history of the Chicago police from the early settlement to the present time. The work is written by John E. Fiinn, assisted by John E. Wilkie, under the direction of and for the benefit of “Tha Policemen’s Benevolent Association.”
Inter Ocean, January 7, 1888
HISTORY OF THE CHICAGO POLICE.— By John J. Flinn and John E. Wiikie. The whole world admires a man of courage. Circumstances have arisen in Chicago which demanded as high courage as ever was called for from the most gallant soldier of the , battle-field from its police. That the force was always equal to the occasion, and exemplified highest courage, has not only called out the enthusiastic applause of our own citizens, but the most complimentary words from the people and press all over the land. The handsome volume now issued is a concise and very complete record of the police during the few years that Chicago existed as city. It is a well written history of a deserving class of men. Chicago people may well take a pride in their courteous and gentlemanly and brave policemen. The Inter Ocean has before referred to the volume in its editorial page. It is published for the benefit of “The Policemen’s Benevolent Association,” and should have a large sale. As a book of reference in city events it is of large value for the library.
Inter Ocean, January 11, 1888
W. R. Crissy, a book canvasser, with proper credentials from Chief of Police Ebersold to solicit subscription for Flynn’s History of the Chicago Police, was arrested yesterday by Desplaines street officers. While engaged in a legitimate canvass, the officers declare, Crissy dishonestly represented himself as a collector for the “pension fund’ for widows and orphans of those killed in the Haymarket riot. In this way, it is alleged, Crissy secured from $1 to $10 each from numerous persons. Chief Ebersold was communicated with by telephone, but the case not having been fully explained to him, he ordered Crissy discharged for taking the credentials from him. Crissy was allowed to go, but upon the facts being presented to the chief, an order was issued for Crissy’s rearrest.
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